Branford resident critically hurt after being hit by boat in accident

A Branford woman was critically injured in a boating accident Tuesday between Paynes Point and Kelsey Island.

A Branford woman was critically injured in a boating accident Tuesday between Paynes Point and Kelsey Island.

Photo: Journal Register Co.

Photo: Journal Register Co.

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A Branford woman was critically injured in a boating accident Tuesday between Paynes Point and Kelsey Island.

A Branford woman was critically injured in a boating accident Tuesday between Paynes Point and Kelsey Island.

Photo: Journal Register Co.

Branford resident critically hurt after being hit by boat in accident

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BRANFORD >> A local resident suffered severe injuries after she fell off a boat in the Long Island Sound early Tuesday and was then hit by the boat.

She was rushed to Yale-New Haven Hospital with what Acting Deputy Fire Chief Tim Judd described as “severe traumatic injuries” to her left arm, face and back,” according to a press release Tuesday afternoon from Acting Assistant Fire Chief Ronald R. Mullen.

The victim’s name and age were not immediately available. Mullen said that she was in critical condition.

Mullen said Branford firefighters and police officers responded to a report of a boating accident in the Sound around 12:09 a.m. East Haven fire crews also responded because the accident was near the town line.

Crews found the accident scene was in Branford between Paynes Point and Kelsey Island near the Farm River, Mullen said.

A man who was believed to have been operating the boat was treated at the scene for injuries and was not hospitalized.

Mullen said preliminary investigation showed a rope line attached to the stern of the boat might have fallen into the water and become entangled in the propeller of the boat’s hand-controlled outboard motor. The rope might have also gotten tangled in the hand control itself.

That entanglement could have caused the boat to suddenly change direction, throwing the female overboard. She was injured after she was hit by the boat, Mullen said.